22 Nov 2022

After weeks of an unprecedented rise in cases of what resembles influenza, and at a time of the year when it is unusual to have many cases of flu, patient numbers are slowing down, Ministry of Health (MoH) spokesperson, Dr Christopher Nyanga has said. 

Dr Nyanga, who was fielding our questions Monday, said the ministry had registered unusually high numbers of people with the influenza-like symptoms in most parts of the country. 

Some of the patients had to be hospitalised, he said. But people should not be anxious. 

He said: “There is no need to panic, as cases are showing signs of going down.” 

He urged people to take precautionary measures that included avoiding crowded areas and wearing a mask around anyone showing symptoms of flu. Symptoms may include a runny nose, coughing, fever, wheezing and sneezing.

 Dr Nyanga also advised people should visit the nearest health facility if they developed any flu-like symptoms. 

Regarding malnutrition, he said the number of children suffering from it was anticipated to rise, but government was working to prevent communities from being overwhelmed. 

“Following the declaration of moderate drought in the 2021/2022 financial year, it is anticipated that incidents of malnutrit

on will be reported during the period,” he said. 

He added that currently, 6128 children under the age of five - representing a 3.4 per cent prevalence rate - around the country were underweight. 

Thus, he said, the MoH would continue to provide supplementary feeding to all children under the age of five who attended child welfare clinics on a monthly basis

Furthermore, a collaboration between the MoH, and that of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD)as the procuring entity, ensured children from disadvantaged backgrounds received supplementary meals under the Vulnerable Groups Feeding Programme, he said. 

Dr Nyanga said the government provided Tsabana, a sorghum-soya mix and a bottle of oil to children of ages six to 36 months, while those aged 37 to 59 months received malutu, another sorghum-soya mix with less soya than Tsabana, as well as beans and oil. 

Moreover, he said, “the ministry is working with the Department of Social Protection under the MLGRD to provide special food baskets to needy families in districts identified as hotspots for malnutrition.” Ends